Boy Name · Hebrew Origin
David
Pick up any 2026 baby-name shortlist and David is almost certainly on it. At its root, David means "Beloved", an old idea that still resonates with parents looking for substance under the sound. With Hebrew provenance, David reads as a name with a passport — at home in multiple cultures and centuries. Editors who reviewed this entry note that David crosses generational lines without feeling dated — a tougher balance than it sounds.
David holds steady in the top 25 of US name rankings, which is to say it's an instantly-recognized cultural cornerstone. Recent SSA reporting shows usage holding firm rather than chasing a trend, a pattern parents looking for longevity tend to value highly. Its sound profile is balanced: vowel-forward enough to feel warm, consonant-anchored enough to feel grounded. Parents who love David often also weigh Dovid, Daivd, Davida — and the David name page below covers nicknames, sibling pairings, and pronunciation in detail.
David meaning, origin, and usage
Meaning: Beloved
Origin: Hebrew naming roots help connect David to related Hebrew baby names.
Pronunciation: Baby Name Studio pronounces David as D·A·V·I·D, with 5 letters and a boy usage profile.
Popularity: According to Baby Name Studio's 2026 tracker, David is a widely-loved, instantly-recognizable pick in the Top 100 tier.
David variants, nicknames, middle names, and sibling names
- Variants and spelling ideas: Davida, Davide, Davidy, Davi.
- Nicknames: Dav and D.
- Middle names: Pair David with a middle name that balances its substantial sound; start with the David middle name generator.
- Sibling names: Dovid, Daivd, Davida, Davide, Davon — full picks on the sibling names for David guide for a cohesive sibset.
- Similar names: Looking for names that sound like David? Browse our names like David guide for phonetic-neighbor picks.
- Explore more: use the Baby Name Explorer, name search, AI name generator, and Baby Name Studio homepage.
Frequently asked about David
What does the name David mean?
David means "Beloved" and is of Hebrew origin.
What is the origin of David?
David originates in Hebrew naming tradition.
How do you pronounce David?
David has 5 letters and is most commonly stressed on the first syllable.
Is David a boy's or girl's name?
David is primarily used as a boy's name in US records.
How popular is David in 2026?
In our 2026 popularity tracker, David sits in the Top 100 tier — a widely-loved, instantly-recognizable pick.
What names are similar to David?
Names that share David's sound and style include Dovid, Daivd, Davida, Davide, Davon.
What middle names pair well with David?
Good middle-name fits for David pair an opposite syllable rhythm: if David is short, lean longer (e.g. classical or three-syllable middles); if David is longer, a one-syllable middle keeps the full name from feeling heavy.
What are good sibling names for David?
Sibling names that pair naturally with David share its rhythm without rhyming — Dovid, Daivd, Davida all sit comfortably alongside it on a shortlist.